Player Page

Philip Nelson | Quarterback

Latest News

Recent News

Former Minnesota and Rutgers QB Philip Nelson will transfer to South Alabama.

Nelson was dismissed from Rutgers last May for his involvement in a fight. The quarterback apparently still has two seasons of eligibility remaining and is allowed to play immediately. Nelson's father said the quarterback was looking for a more pass oriented offense. May 5 - 11:09 AM

Nelson has been charged with one count of first-degree assault and one count of third-degree assault for allegedly kicking 24-year-old Isaac Kolstad in the head during an altercation. Kolstad is in critical condition and is "fighting for his life," according to his father. "The Rutgers football family's thoughts and prayers are with Isaac Kolstad and his family," Scarlet Knights coach Kyle Flood said in a statement. The criminal complaint states Nelson kicked Kolstad in the head after he'd been struck by somebody else early Sunday morning. Nelson never played a down for Rutgers after transferring from Minnesota after last season. Tue, May 13, 2014 08:13:00 PM

Rutgers QB Philip Nelson was charged Monday with one count of first-degree assault and one count of third-degree assault over an alleged role in an assault that left the male victim "fighting for his life."

Nelson allegedly assaulted former Minnesota State linebacker Isaac Kolstad around 2 a.m. Sunday. "(Isaac Kolstad) is currently in critical condition and fighting for his life," Blaine Kolstad, the victim's father, posted Sunday on the website caringbridge.org. "He is young and strong, but the battle he has in front of him is enormous. ... We do know that his brain did sustain permanent damage. We do not yet know to what extent and won't for many days. He is very sick. Please pray for Isaac and all of those involved." Nelson started nine games for Minnesota last season, but transferred to Rutgers over the winter. He must sit out the 2014 season, but would have two years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2015. Mon, May 12, 2014 08:56:00 PM

Nelson announced his intention to leave the Gophers earlier this month, citing a desire to find a more passer-friendly offensive system that suited his skill set. Chances are that Rutgers' hire of former Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen as offensive coordinator helped convince Nelson to move to the East Coast. Nelson must sit out the 2014 season, but he'll have two years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2015. "For me, I am looking to play in a system that centers more around the pass game which utilizes my skill sets," Nelson said in a statement to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "I am excited to go out and meet with programs that match up with my talents." Wed, Jan 29, 2014 06:22:00 PM

Player News

Nelson has been charged with one count of first-degree assault and one count of third-degree assault for allegedly kicking 24-year-old Isaac Kolstad in the head during an altercation. Kolstad is in critical condition and is "fighting for his life," according to his father. "The Rutgers football family's thoughts and prayers are with Isaac Kolstad and his family," Scarlet Knights coach Kyle Flood said in a statement. The criminal complaint states Nelson kicked Kolstad in the head after he'd been struck by somebody else early Sunday morning. Nelson never played a down for Rutgers after transferring from Minnesota after last season.

Rutgers QB Philip Nelson was charged Monday with one count of first-degree assault and one count of third-degree assault over an alleged role in an assault that left the male victim "fighting for his life."

Nelson allegedly assaulted former Minnesota State linebacker Isaac Kolstad around 2 a.m. Sunday. "(Isaac Kolstad) is currently in critical condition and fighting for his life," Blaine Kolstad, the victim's father, posted Sunday on the website caringbridge.org. "He is young and strong, but the battle he has in front of him is enormous. ... We do know that his brain did sustain permanent damage. We do not yet know to what extent and won't for many days. He is very sick. Please pray for Isaac and all of those involved." Nelson started nine games for Minnesota last season, but transferred to Rutgers over the winter. He must sit out the 2014 season, but would have two years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2015.

Nelson announced his intention to leave the Gophers earlier this month, citing a desire to find a more passer-friendly offensive system that suited his skill set. Chances are that Rutgers' hire of former Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen as offensive coordinator helped convince Nelson to move to the East Coast. Nelson must sit out the 2014 season, but he'll have two years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2015. "For me, I am looking to play in a system that centers more around the pass game which utilizes my skill sets," Nelson said in a statement to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "I am excited to go out and meet with programs that match up with my talents."

Minnesota sophomore QB Philip Nelson has an offer from Rutgers and visited the New Jersey campus on Sunday.

Although Rutgers is joining the Big 10, the Knights and Gophers aren't scheduled to face one another until 2016. St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist Charley Walters wrote last week that Texas Tech appeared "to be the front-runner" for Nelson's services. Nelson announced his transfer intentions earlier this month, citing a desire to find a more pass-happy offensive system to suit his skill set.

Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press opines that Texas Tech "appears to be the front-runner" for the services of Philip Nelson.

The predictions in Walters' Sunday notes columns are known to have huge swing-and-miss potential, but this tidbit at least passes the sniff test. The pass-happy Red Raiders are desperate for signal-callers after losing both Baker Mayfield and Michael Brewer to transfers within the past month, and Nelson said in his statement that he will look for "a system that centers more around the pass game which utilizes my skill sets." The former three-star recruit is also looking at UCLA, according to Walters.

Minnesota sophomore QB Philip Nelson announced on Thursday that he will transfer.

Nelson, who just completed his true sophomore season, started 16 career games for the Gophers. This past season, he often platooned with Mitch Leidner, a run-first quarterback. "I have the utmost respect for Coach [Jerry] Kill and what he's done for this program," Nelson said in a statement. "I also want to reach out to all the great Minnesota fans that supported the football program and say thank you. Your effort makes a difference. I am looking to play in a system that centers more around the pass game which utilizes my skill sets. I am excited to go out and meet with programs that match up with my talents."

Minnesota sophomore QB Philip Nelson is listed as the starter for Saturday's game against Penn State.

Nelson, who has shared quarterbacking duties with redshirt freshman Mitch Leidner for most of the season, left last Saturday's upset win over Indians in the fourth quarter due to an injury but returned later on. He's been dealing with a hip pointer.

Minnesota announced Thursday that coach Jerry Kill will take an open-ended leave of absence from the team to focus on treatment of his epilepsy.

"This was a difficult decision to make, but the right decision," Kill said in a statement. Kill was unable to attend a game for the first time in his career last weekend against Michigan. Kill, who has suffered five game day seizures with the Gophers, will now step aside to focus on his health. The Gophers do not know when Kill will return to the sidelines. Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys will serve as interim coach.

Minnesota sophomore QB Philip Nelson (hamstring) has returned to practice, but is still considered questionable for Saturday's game against Iowa.

"In all likelihood, redshirt freshman Mitch Leidner will make his second career start," writes Nate Sandell of ESPN 1500. Leidner won Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors last week after accounting for four TDs in Saturday's win against San Jose State. "He wasn't full speed (Tuesday)," coach Jerry Kill said of Nelson on Wednesday. "He seemed to have a little more pop in step today. On Thursday, Kill told local radio station KFAN that he'd like Leidner and Nelson "to both be ready" to play against the Hawkeyes, but perhaps gave away a tell on Nelson's availability: "Last thing we want to do is have something like [Nelson's hamstring] nag, nag, nag."

Minnesota sophomore QB Philip Nelson will likely miss Saturday's game against San Jose State with a hamstring injury.

Gophers coach Jerry Kill said the injury was about 75-percent healed. It appears as though redshirt freshman Mitch Leidner will make his first career start against the Spartans, though true freshman Chris Streveler could also see the field.

Minnesota has named sophomore QB Philip Nelson the team's starter for the season opener against UNLV.

Nelson started the final seven games of the 2012 season, passing for 873 yards, eight interceptions and eight touchdowns. The sophomore was competing with a handful of freshmen, including Mitch Leidner, Chris Streveler, and Donovahn Jones.